by Associated Press BC-AS--Asian News Digest, AS Associated Press - 3 February 2015 00:04-05:00 ASIA: JAPAN-ISLAMIC STATE-LIMITED OPTIONS TOKYO — The killing of two Japanese hostages by the Islamic State group has savagely driven home the high stakes Japan faces and limited options it can muster in such circumstances. Journalist Kenji Goto's beheading, seen in an online video over the weekend, also offers a glimpse into how Japan is struggling to handle the rising menace of terrorism. By Elaine Kurtenbach and Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. NKOREA-HUMAN RIGHTS TOKYO — A campaign within the United Nations to haul North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before an international court for crimes against humanity has touched off a defensive fury in Pyongyang, where it's being treated like a diplomatic declaration of war — an aggressive act aimed not only at shutting down prison camps but also at removing Kim and dismantling his family's three-generation cult of personality. By Eric Talmadge. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. AUSTRALIA-POLITICS CANBERRA, Australia — Australia's beleaguered prime minister on Tuesday ruled out throwing his job open to challengers with a leadership ballot to demonstrate his control over his government, warning colleagues that voters craved stability. Only half way through his first three-year term as prime minister, Tony Abbott faces a revolt from within the ranks of his conservative government over poor opinion polling and unpopular policy directions. By Rod Mcguirk. CHINA-POLLUTION BEIJING — China's Environment Ministry says 66 of the nation's 74 major cities, including the capital Beijing, failed to meet basic air quality standards last year. The worst-performing cities were in the country's north adjacent to Beijing, with the Hebei province industrial center of Baoding just to the southwest coming in dead last. SENT: 130 words. NEW ZEALAND-ISLAMIC STATE WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Britain encouraged New Zealand to join the fight against the Islamic State group. During a visit to Wellington, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told reporters that Britain would "very much hope" New Zealand would become an active participant in the coalition of nations fighting the militant group in Iraq. SENT: 290 words. AUSTRALIA-ECONOMY SYDNEY — Australia's central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 2.25 percent in a bid to jolt the nation's economy amid falling commodity prices and sluggish growth. SENT, will be updated. CHINA-EARNS-LENOVO BEIJING — Lenovo Group says its quarterly profit declined 5 percent, reflecting the computer maker's acquisition of the unprofitable Motorola mobile phone business. The company said it earned $253 million, or $2.30 per share, in the three months through December. Revenue rose 31 percent to $14.1 billion. SENT, photos. US & INTERNATIONAL BUDGET WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama set up another clash with Republicans by sending Congress a $4 trillion budget that seeks to raise taxes on wealthier Americans and corporations and increase domestic spending. In a message accompanying the massive budget books on Monday, Obama said his proposals are "practical, not partisan." But even before the books were delivered, Republicans found plenty to criticize in tax hikes totaling $2 trillion. By Martin Crutsinger. SENT, photos. UKRAINE DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine — As Ukrainian troops fight to defend a strategic railway hub, Russian-backed separatists pledge to boost the size of their force and Washington ponders whether to expand its assistance to Ukraine to include lethal aid. President Barack Obama has so far opposed sending lethal assistance, but an upsurge in fighting in eastern Ukraine spurs the White House to take a fresh look at supplying Ukraine with such aid, a senior administration official said. By Peter Leonard. SENT: 860 words, photos. FRANCE-STRAUSS-KAHN PARIS — Dominique Strauss-Kahn goes on trial for sex charges in France — the nation where he once was considered a top presidential contender. The former head of the International Monetary Fund, whose career went down in flames amid accusations of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York, is facing similarly shocking charges in France: aggravated pimping and involvement in a prostitution ring operating out of luxury hotels. By Greg Keller. SENT: 670 words, photos, video. BRITAIN POISONED SPY LONDON — Former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko developed a powerful animosity toward Vladimir Putin, accusing the Russian leader of fomenting war and consorting with criminal gangs, the agent's widow testifies at an inquiry. By Jill Lawrence. SENT 580 words, photos. EXXON'S BAD TIMING Exxon has consistently reassured investors that mammoth oil projects years in the making would evenutally reverse a decline in production. Those projects are finally ready — just as oil prices have plummeted. By Jonathan Fahey. SENT: 8700 words, photos. GM-IGNITION SWITCH DEATHS DETROIT — Families of 51 people who died in crashes caused by faulty ignition switches in General Motors small cars will get payments from a company fund, but others will have to wait months for decisions on thousands of claims received before Saturday's deadline. By Auto Writer Tom Krisher. SENT: 800 words. GREECE-BAILOUT-STICKING POINTS FRANKFURT, Germany — Greece wants a break from the terms of the bailout loans it gets from the eurozone. The two sides are at odds — here's a look at the issues and possible solutions. By David McHugh. SENT 830 words, with photos EGYPT-AL-JAZEERA CAIRO — Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste felt "relief and excitement" at being freed after more than a year in an Egyptian prison, but also real stress at leaving two colleagues still behind bars. Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird says the release of Mohamed Fahmy, one of Greste's colleagues, was imminent, but gives no time frame. By Hamza Hendawi. SENT: 1,100 words, photos. update AP NEWSBREAK: PENTAGON CHIEF WASHINGTON — Ashton Carter, nominated to become the next U.S. defense secretary, says he would consider changing the current plans for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year if security conditions worsen. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 525 words. SPORTS SUPER BOWL-BRADY PHOENIX — Tom Brady knows what's next: more Super Bowl wins. The era's most successful quarterback is still riding the high of his fourth NFL title the morning after New England's 28-24 victory over Seattle. Brady could have basked in his four touchdown passes. Instead, he looked ahead. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 720 words, photos. ALSO GETTING ATTENTION — WHITNEY HOUSTON'S DAUGHTER. Parallels between the fate of Bobbi Kristina Brown and Whitney Houston are haunting as the pop star's 21-year-old daughter is fighting for her life at a Georgia hospital. SENT: 600 words, photos. — FRANCE FOOD TOURISM — France — the center of world gastronomy — wants to make its reputation for rude waiters a thing of the past. SENT: 510 words, photos. — BRITAIN MAGNA CARTA — You can't exactly call it a reunion — the four surviving original Magna Cartas had never before been in the same place. So the British Library called it a "unification event" when the priceless documents were put on display together for the first time. SENT 390 words, photos. ___ YOUR QUERIES: The editor in charge at the AP Asia-Pacific Desk in Bangkok is Scott McDonald. Questions and story requests are welcome. The news desk can be reached at (66) 2632-6911 or by email at asia@ap.org. The Asia Photo Desk can be reached at (81-3) 6215-8941 or by fax at (81-3) 3574-8850. Between 1600 GMT and 0000 GMT, please refer queries to the North America Desk in New York at (1) 212-621-1650. News Topics: General news, National budgets, Government and politics, War and unrest, Government budgets, Government finance, Government business and finance, Business, National governments People, Places and Companies: General Motors Co, Kenji Goto, Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il, Tony Abbott, Philip Hammond, Barack Obama, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Alexander Litvinenko, Vladimir Putin, Ashton Carter, Tom Brady, Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Beijing, New Zealand, East Asia, Ukraine, United States, Egypt, Russia, Western Europe, Europe, Asia, Oceania, China, Greater China, Eastern Europe, North America, Middle East, North Africa, Africa Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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